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United States Patent |
5,113,175
|
Adell
|
May 12, 1992
|
Rear motor vehicle alerting bright light dimming signal and control
system
Abstract
A rear motor vehicle alerting bright light dimming signal and control
system for alerting a driver of a vehicle behind a signalling vehicle to
dim his bright lights. The signalling system is low in cost, improves
vehicle safety, promotes driver courtesy and is adaptable to all motor
vehicle styles and models. A control system permits the signalling system
to operate only when the stop lights and turn signal lights of a
signalling vehicle are inoperative. The signal system comprises one or
more flashing lights mounted at the rear of a vehicle and a control
circuit for operating the lights. In one aspect of the invention, a
signalling light is mounted on a rear package tray in a common housing
with an "eye level" stop light and, when operative, transmits a flashing
high intensity beam of colored light to alert the driver of the rear
vehicle. The control system has two states, a normally off state and an
operating state wherein the signal light flashes for a predetermined time.
In an alternate embodiment the signal lights are automatically activated
by a bright light from a rear vehicle.
Inventors:
|
Adell; Robert (31800 S. Brandingham, Franklin, MI 48025)
|
Appl. No.:
|
627951 |
Filed:
|
December 17, 1990 |
Current U.S. Class: |
340/468; 340/457.2; 340/472; 362/464; 362/540 |
Intern'l Class: |
B60Q 001/26 |
Field of Search: |
340/468,469,470,471,472,457.2,482
362/83.3
307/10.8
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2400655 | May., 1946 | Saia | 340/470.
|
2878462 | Mar., 1959 | Tralli | 340/468.
|
3192437 | Jun., 1965 | Meyer | 340/471.
|
3517384 | Jun., 1970 | Jablonski | 340/468.
|
3678457 | Jul., 1972 | Lev | 340/468.
|
4037197 | Jul., 1977 | Courty | 340/468.
|
4859988 | Aug., 1989 | Holtvluwer | 340/471.
|
4989121 | Jan., 1991 | Hall | 340/468.
|
Primary Examiner: Crosland; Donnie L.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a motor vehicle of the type having headlights on the front of the
vehicle and stop lights, tail lights, back-up lights and turn signalling
lights on the rear of the vehicle, a system for signalling a driver of a
vehicle behind another vehicle to dim his bright headlights comprising: at
least one signalling light mounted on the rear of a vehicle, said light
being adapted when operative to display a visual signal for requesting a
driver who is operating a vehicle behind the signalling vehicle to dim his
vehicle's bright headlights; a power supply for supplying electrical power
to said signalling light; and a control circuit for controlling the
operation of said signalling light, said control circuit including a means
for preventing said signalling light from being operative when the stop
lights or turn signal lights of said signalling vehicle are operative.
2. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said control system is adapted to flash said signalling light "on and off"
when said light is operative.
3. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 further
comprising a means inside of said signalling vehicle for informing the
driver of the signalling vehicle that said signaling light is operative.
4. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said vehicle has an "eye level" stop light mounted inside of a housing and
said signalling light is located in said "eye level" stop light housing.
5. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said vehicle has a pair of back-up lights mounted inside of separate
housings and said signalling system has a pair of signalling lights, each
of said lights being mounted in one of said back-up light housings.
6. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said vehicle has a combined tail light and stop light mounted in each of a
pair of housings and said signalling system has a pair of signalling
lights, each of which is mounted in one of said combined tail light and
stop light housings.
7. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said vehicle has an "eye level" stop light mounted inside of a housing and
a pair of back-up lights mounted inside of separate housings and said
signalling system has three signalling lights, one of which is mounted in
said "eye level" stop light housing and each of the other pair being
mounted in one of said back-up light housings.
8. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1 wherein
said control system is a manual control system which is operated by the
vehicle's driver.
9. The headlight signalling system described in claim 1 wherein said
control system is an automatic control system which is responsive to a
bright beam from another vehicle's headlights.
10. The vehicle headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1
wherein said signalling system is operative only when an ignition switch
of said signalling vehicle is closed.
11. The vehicle headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 1
wherein said system is operative only when said vehicle's headlights are
operative.
12. The vehicle headlight dimming signalling system wherein said manual
control system as described in claim B includes a driver operated switch,
said switch having an inoperative state wherein said signalling light is
continuously off, a first operating state for flashing said signalling
light "on and off" for a predetermined time and a second operating state
for flashing said signalling light "on and off" continuously.
13. The vehicle headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 9
wherein said automatic control system comprises a photocell unit which is
responsive to a bright headlight beam from a vehicle behind the signalling
vehicle.
14. In a motor vehicle of the type having headlights, stop lights, turn
signal lights, back-up lights and tail lights, a system for alerting a
driver of a vehicle behind another vehicle to dim his vehicle's bright
lights comprising: a pair of signalling lights mounted at the rear of a
vehicle, each of said lights being mounted in a housing which si common
with a housing of a back-up light of said signalling vehicle; and a manual
control, said control being operative to flash said signalling lights only
when said vehicle's turn signals and stop lights are inoperative and
having a driver operated switch for actuating said manual control for
flashing said signalling lights "on and off", said driver operated switch
having a first operative state for flashing said signalling lights for a
predetermined time and a second operating state for flashing said
signalling lights "on and off" continuously.
15. The headlights dimming signalling system described in claim 14 wherein
said manual control is spring biased for returning said control system to
an inoperative state when said driver operated switch is released.
16. In a motor vehicle of the type having a pair of headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights an back-up lights, a system for
requesting a driver of a vehicle behind a vehicle to dim his vehicle's
bright lights comprising: a pair of lights mounted a the rear o a vehicle
in common housings with said vehicle's back-up lights, said lights having
an operative state only when said stop lights and back-up lights are
inoperative wherein said lights flash "on and off" to alert a driver who
is operating a vehicle behind the signalling vehicle to dim the headlights
of the rear vehicle; and an indicator light inside of said vehicle for
informing the driver of the signalling vehicle that his vehicle's
signalling system is operative.
17. In a motor vehicle of the type having a pair of back-up lights mounted
on the rear of the vehicle which are operative when said vehicle is
travelling in a reverse direction, turn signal lights and stop lights, the
improvement which comprises a means for flashing said back-up lights "on
and off" when said vehicle is travelling in a forward direction to request
a driver who is operating a vehicle behind the signalling vehicle to dim
his vehicle's bright lights, said means being operative only when said
signalling vehicle's stop lights and said turn signal lights are
inoperative.
18. The headlight dimming signalling system described in claim 17 wherein
said means for flashing said lights "on and off" comprises: a driver
operated control in the interior of said signalling vehicle, said control
having an inoperative state wherein said signalling light is continuously
off, a first operating state wherein said signalling flashes "on and off"
for a predetermined time, and a second operating state wherein said
signalling light flashes "on and off" for a continuous period of time,
said control being spring biased to return said control from said first
operative state to said inoperative state when said control is released by
said driver; a time delay operatively connected to said driver control for
causing said lights to flash "on and off" for a predetermined time when
said control is returned to said inoperative state; a flasher unit
operatively connected to said time delay to cause said lights to flash
when said control is released by said driver.
19. A motor vehicle headlight dimming signalling system for requesting a
driver of a rear vehicle to dim his headlights comprising in combination:
a housing mounted on the rear of a first vehicle having a first
compartment, a bulb mounted in said first compartment for informing a
driver of a vehicle behind said first vehicle that the brakes of said
first vehicle are applied, a second compartment, a bulb mounted in said
second compartment for requesting said driver of said rear vehicle to dim
his vehicle's headlights; and a control for operating said headlight
dimming signalling bulb, said control being operative only when said bulb
in said first compartment is inoperative and having a first operating
state wherein said headlight dimming signaling bulb flashes "on and off"
and a second state wherein said headlight dimming signaling bulb is
inoperative.
20. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 further
comprising a parabolic reflector mounted in said second compartment to
focus the light rays from said headlight dimming signalling bulb.
21. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 wherein
said housing is mounted in the interior of said vehicle on a package tray.
22. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 wherein
said housing is mounted on the exterior of said vehicle on a body panel.
23. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 wherein the
signal from said headlight dimming signalling light in said first
operating state emits a flashing blue light.
24. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 wherein the
signal from said headlight dimming signalling light in said first
operating state emits a flashing green light.
25. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 24 wherein
said headlight dimming signalling light is mounted on said vehicle at an
elevation which is substantially the eye level of the driver of said rear
vehicle.
26. The headlight dimming signalling system recited in claim 19 wherein
said control for operating said headlight dimming signalling bulb is
responsive to a beam of light from said rear vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a vehicle signalling system and more particularly
to a signalling and control system which enables a driver to alert drivers
of vehicles behind his vehicle to dim or turn on their headlights.
It is not uncommon, on highways and in city traffic, for drivers to neglect
to dim or turn on their headlights. Bright lights from headlights reflect
off the side view and rear view mirrors of other vehicles into their
drivers' eyes. The reflected lights are a source of tremendous annoyance
and distraction and impair the ability of drivers to observe the road and
control their vehicles. The applicant, along with others, has encountered
the problems of bright headlights as well as drivers' failures to turn on
their headlights.
At present, the only way a driver can signal a rear vehicle that its
headlights are either "off" or on "high beam" is by rapidly switching his
vehicle's lights on and off. This is extremely dangerous when driving on
highways and freeways, especially at speeds of 55 miles per hour and
above. The danger is greater during rain and snow because of reduced
visibility and increased glare.
Vehicle manufacturers have responded to the "high beam" problem by
equipping vehicles with "day and night" rear view mirrors. The mirrors
reduce glare from bright headlights but substantially reduce night vision.
Any reduction of vision at night is undesirable and can cause serious
accidents, especially when vehicles travel at high speeds and change lanes
Furthermore, the "day and night" mirror is not effective for reducing
glare from reflections off side view mirrors of trucks which cannot be
adjusted during driving and require wrenches for angular adjustments.
A failure to turn on headlights also affects vehicle safety. Failures to
turn on headlights usually occur at sundown when some sunlight is still
available to prevent a driver from being aware that his headlights have
not been turned on. A failure to turn on headlights can also cause serious
accidents, by way of example, "head on" collisions during lane changing.
Because of fierce competition among automobile manufacturers, controlling
costs is of major concern and manufacturers are reluctant to make changes
which add cost to their products. Manufacturers are also reluctant to make
changes which increase their warranty costs and restrict the freedom of
their designers to create original and competitive styling to stimulate
sales. It is noteworthy that in an industry which is as competitive as the
automotive industry, it is extremely rare to add new features at very low
investment and manufacturing costs.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that a successful bright light
signalling system will have to be low in cost, reliable and have little,
if any, effect on vehicle styling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the requirements of low cost, reliability
and minimum effect on vehicle styling. The invention is an improvement
over my earlier invention for a rear vehicle courtesy bright light dimming
signal system which is disclosed in a pending U.S. application, Ser. No.
07/534,551. The improvement resides in the addition of a control system,
which permits my signalling system to be operative only when the stop
lights and turn signal lights of a vehicle are not operating, for alerting
rear vehicles that their headlights are either "off" or on "high beam".
The reason for restricting the operation of the signalling system is to
avoid the possibility of confusion caused by a simultaneous operation of
the stop lights, flashing turn signal lights, and flashing bright light
signalling lights.
One benefit of the invention, in addition to the safety benefits, is that
it can be immediately incorporated into new vehicle programs and/or
installed in existing motor vehicles at mimimum installation effort and
cost. Furthermore, as will be seen, the invention is adaptable to all
vehicle types and styles including but not limited to, standard passenger
sedans, convertibles, recreational vehicles, trailers, vans and trucks.
Another important benefit is that manufacturing and investment costs for
practicing the invention are very low.
In the first aspect of my invention a flashing colored light is mounted in
an existing high mounted stop light housing and operated by a driver
manual control. The control prevents the signalling light from operating
if the signalling vehicle's stop lights or turn signal lights are
operating. The signalling light is preferably a high intensity colored
light, by way of example, green or blue. In a second aspect of the
invention, an automatic control is provided which responds to a bright
light from a rear vehicle.
Integrating the signalling light into an existing light housing offers a
rare opportunity to provide a badly needed feature which provides safety,
convenience and, last but not least driver courtesy, at very low
investment and manufacturing costs. While an inventor cannot dictate to a
vehicle manufacturer where to position the signalling light, it is
suggested that it be positioned at the eye level of a driver in a rear
vehicle or as close to eye level as possible.
The foregoing features, benefits and advantages, together with additional
features, benefits and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing
detailed description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying
drawings. The best mode contemplated in practising the invention is
disclosed and the subject matter in which exclusive property rights are
claimed is set forth in each of the numbered claims at the conclusion of
the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a passenger vehicle which embodies my invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial left side view of the passenger vehicle of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1
which shows a back-up light and a signalling light mounted in a common
housing.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 4--4 which
shows an "eye level" stop light and a signalling light mounted in a common
housing.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of a passenger vehicle which incorporates an
alternate embodiment of my invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 6--6 which
shows an alternate embodiment of an "eye level" stop light and a
signalling light mounted in a common housing.
FIG. 7 is a partial view of the rear end of a passenger vehicle showing a
tail/stop light and a signalling light mounted in a common housing.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the circuit for manually controlling my
headlight dimming signalling system.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for automatically controlling my
headlight dimming signalling system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and
corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIGS. 1 and 2 a
typical passenger sedan 10 is shown which embodies my invention. It is to
be understood that the sedan is shown for illustrative purposes only and
that my invention is not limited to sedans but rather applies to all types
and styles of motor vehicles, by way of example, sedans, convertibles,
motor homes, recreational vehicles, trailers, vans, trucks, motorcycles
and the like.
The sedan 10 has a pair of front mounted headlights (not shown), an
interior headlight switch (not shown), a pair of rear mounted back-up
lights 11, a pair of rear mounted tail/stop lights 12, and a rear mounted
"eye level" stop light 13. The stop lights 14 of the tail/stop lights 12
also serve as rear turn signal lights and emergency signal lights and
flash "on and off" when driver controls (not shown) are operated.
With reference to FIG. 2, a signalling light 15 is combined with the "eye
level" stop light 13. The "eye level" stop light 13 is centrally mounted
in the interior of the vehicle on a package tray 17. Also shown in FIG. 2
is an "eye level" stop light 18 for a convertible which is mounted on an
exterior body panel 19 because of the unavailability of a package tray.
The "eye level" stop light 13 is in a desirable location to gain the
attention of a driver operating a motor vehicle behind another motor
vehicle because the "eye level" stop light 13 is easily seen by the driver
of a rear vehicle and is remote from the other lights of the vehicle.
Another benefit is that only a single signalling light 15 is needed.
The construction of the combined "eye level" stop/signalling light 20 is
shown in FIG. 4. The stop/signalling light 20 has a generally rectangular
housing 21 with open bottom and rear end portions. A clear lens 22 and red
stop light lens 23 cover the open rear portion of the housing 21 and a
base plate 24 covers the open bottom portion. The clear lens 22 and red
stop light lens 23 have optics which are consistent with the standard
design practices of the motor vehicle industry for exterior lighting.
Inside the housing 21 there is a T-shaped member 25, a stop light socket
26, a signalling light socket 27, a clear stop light bulb 28, and a
signalling light bulb 29. The signalling light bulb 29 is preferably
green, blue or some other color which is readily distinguishable from the
vehicle's red and amber colored lights. The signalling light bulb 29 is
preferably a high intensity bulb and is preferably regulated by a control
system, which will be later described, to flash at a higher rate than the
vehicle's turn signals. The higher flashing rate is desirable to gain the
attention of the driver of the rear vehicle and to further distinguish the
signalling light 15 from the vehicle's other lights. A colored lens may be
used with a clear bulb in place of the colored signalling light bulb 29.
The T-member 25 has a vertical wall 30 and an intersecting horizontal wall
31 which partition the interior of the housing 21 into two compartments, a
lower compartment 32 for the stop light bulb 28 and an upper compartment
33 for the signalling light bulb 29. The T-member 25 is located and
retained in grooves 34 of the housing 21, base plate 24 and lens 22. In
the vertical wall 30 of the T-member 25 are apertures 35 which receive the
stop light socket 26 and the signalling light socket 27. The stop light
socket 26 and signalling light socket 27 are conventional and retain the
stop light bulb 28 and signalling light bulb 29, respectively.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate embodiment 36 is shown having
a parabolic reflector 37 which focuses the beam from the signalling light
bulb 29 to produce a spot light effect. A housing 38 has a circular upper
portion 39 for mounting a high intensity clear signalling light bulb 41
and an adjoining rectangular lower portion 40 for mounting a clear stop
light bulb 28. The front portion of the housing 38 is open and is covered
with a bezel 42 in which are mounted a green or blue circular signalling
light lens 43 and a red rectangular stop light lens 44. In the interior of
the housing 38 is a stop light reflector which carries the stop light
socket 26 and the parabolic signalling light reflector 45 which carries
the signalling light socket 27. The stop light reflector 45 and parabolic
signalling light reflector 37 are retained by the bezel 42.
Although the "eye level" stop light 13 is a desirable location for my
headlight dimming signalling light, there are other locations which may
not be as desirable but are nevertheless suitable. By way of example, in
FIG. 3 I have shown the colored signalling light bulb 29 mounted in the
same housing 46 with a back-up light bulb 47. The pair of back-up lights
11 are suitable for mounting signalling light bulbs 29 for the following
reasons.
One reason is that the back-up lights 11 operate only when the vehicle's
transmission is in reverse whereas the signalling lights 15 operate only
when the transmission is in a forward gear and the vehicle is travelling
in a forward direction. Another reason is that the back-up lights 11 have
clear or frosted lenses 48 which can be used for both the clear back-up
light bulb 47 and the colored signalling light bulb 29. Other reasons are
that the signalling light bulbs 29 can be added to the back-up light
housings 46 without vehicle modifications or affecting vehicle styling.
Referring again to FIG. 3, each of the combined back-up/signalling lights
includes the housing 46, a back-up light socket 49, a signalling light
socket 27, the clear back-up light bulb 47, the colored signalling bulb
29, and the clear or frosted lens 48. One advantage of this embodiment is
that separate compartments are not required for the clear back-up light
bulb 47 and the colored signalling light bulb 29. Another advantage is
that the signalling light sockets 27 can be added to the back-up lights 11
by merely adding an aperture 50 in each of the housings 46. The
disadvantages of this location over the "eye level" stop light 13 location
is that it is less remote from the vehicle's other lights and is not as
easily seen by the driver of the rear vehicle.
In FIG. 7, I have illustrated another location for the signalling lights
15, i.e., the stop/tail lights 12. A signalling light bulb 29 may be
mounted in the stop/tail lights 14 by partitioning them into a separate
upper 51 and lower 52 compartment and mounting a signalling light socket
27 and bulb 29 in the upper compartment. In certain models, such as
trailers and trucks, it may be a desirable alternative.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, inside of the vehicle 10, a photo cell unit
53 is mounted on a lateral structural body member 54 and projects
downwardly into the upper portion of the rear window opening 55. The
photocell unit 53 is part of an automatic control circuit which will be
later described.
A block diagram of a manual control system 56 for operating a single signal
light 15 is shown in FIG. 8. One side of a normally closed relay 58
receives current from a vehicle's power supply 59 via the vehicle's
ignition switch 60. A driver control 61, i.e. a normally open single
pole-single throw switch (SPST) is connected in series with the ignition
switch 59. The driver control 61 is readily accessible to a driver, by way
of example, on an instrument panel, a driver's door trim panel or a
steering column.
The driver control 61 is spring biased to return the control 61 to the
normally open position to insure that the signalling light 15 will not be
inadvertently left on after the control 61 is released by a driver. The
other side of the relay 58 is connected to the vehicle's turn signal
switch 62 and stop light switch 63 whereby if either the turn signals or
stop lamps are operative, current to the signal light 15 will be
interrupted by the relay. The driver control 61 supplies current to a
timer 64 which is in series with a flasher 65 which in turn supplies
current to the signal light 15. An optional interior indicator light 66 is
shown to inform the driver when the signalling system is operating. Since
the signalling system is operative only at night, the driver control 61
may optionally be connected in series with the vehicle's light switch (not
shown), instead of the ignition switch 60.
The manual control 56 operates as follows. When the driver control 61 is
momentarily closed and released by a driver and both the turn signals and
stop lights are in operative, current is supplied via the relay 58 and
timer 64 to the flasher unit 65 for a predetermined time. If the driver
control 61 is held in the operative position, the flasher 65 will continue
to supply current to the signalling light 15 which will continue to flash
until the control 61 is released.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an automatic control 67 for operating a single
signal light 15. One side of a normally closed relay 58 is connected in
series with a vehicle's ignition switch 60. The other side of the relay 58
is connected to the vehicle's turn signal switch 62 and stop light switch
63. If both the turn signals and stop lights are inoperative, current is
supplied via the vehicle's power supply 59, ignition switch 60, and relay
58 to a driver control 68. The driver control 68 is a single pole double
throw (SPDT) with a normally open center position. One end of the control
68 is for manual operation and is spring biased to return the control 68
to the center "Off" position 66. At this position the control 68 operates
as a manual control in the manner as previously described. The other end
is for automatic operation and is not spring biased to return the control
to the center "Off" position. The automatic end is connected to the
photocell unit 53. When a strong light beam from a rear vehicle contacts
the photocell 53, the photocell 53 becomes conductive and passes current
to the flasher unit 65, causing the signal light 15, in series with the
flasher unit 65, to flash. When the light beam ceases to contact the
photocell 53, the photocell 53 becomes non-conductive and the signalling
light 15 ceases to flash. A sensitivity control 69 is provided to adjust
the level at which the photocell unit 53 will activate the signal light
15.
From the foregoing, it will be understood that my invention provides a low
cost means of providing a badly needed safety feature in a motor vehicle.
Moreover, this feature improves driver courtesy, can be immediately
incorporated by motor vehicle manufacturers into new vehicles, and can be
sold on the after market to retrofit existing vehicles.
Although but several embodiments of my invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not my intent to limit my invention to these embodiments.
It will be appreciated that after having the benefit of this disclosure,
other embodiments can be developed by changes such as the substitution and
re-arrangement of components without departing from the spirit thereof.
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